The Absolute Sound Podcast

$15K System - Mofi Sourcepoint 888, Rega Planar, Luxman 505Z Review

For better or for worse, vinyl got me into the hobby of hi-fi and in many respects it’s still what drives my interest in equipment and fidelity. My system has evolved steadily over the years, and not always been a straight or simple path. That said, friends and fans have asked me for advice on building turntable-based systems over the years, some at the absolute entry level, and some in the high end. Well, this would be a taste of my own medicine because selecting an entire hifi system in one go is not an easy feat, but I gave it a go anyway, and you may be interested in the results...This video is sponsored by: https://rel.net00:00 $15K System01:52 Loudspeaker02:50 Turntable03:48 The System09:28 Sound Quality15:52 Is it for you?What Is The Absolute Sound? The Absolute Sound magazine has been a leading publication in high-end audio since 1972. Since the early 2000s, The Absolute Sound has expanded to include web, newsletter, digital magazine, social media, YouTube, and Substack platforms. The Absolute Sound platforms have a global audience of over 500,000 audiophiles.Intro/Outro Music: Backed Vibes Clean - Rollin at 5 by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/#hifi #audiophile #theabsolutesound Copyright 2026, Nextscreen LLC, all rights reserved

Soulution 717 Power Amp Review

Soulution Audio is a Swiss manufacturer of electronics and turntables. Swiss amplifier companies seem to pursue extreme engineering and this is often accompanied by extreme pricing. Let’s see what the 717 offers and why you might or might not want it. This video is sponsored by: https://www.perlistenaudio.com/products/d8is/00:00 Soulution 717 Power Amp01:28 Specs & Design04:53 Sound Quality07:37 SummaryWhat Is The Absolute Sound? The Absolute Sound magazine has been a leading publication in high-end audio since 1972. Since the early 2000s, The Absolute Sound has expanded to include web, newsletter, digital magazine, social media, YouTube, and Substack platforms. The Absolute Sound platforms have a global audience of over 500,000 audiophiles.Intro/Outro Music: Backed Vibes Clean - Rollin at 5 by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/#hifi #audiophile #theabsolutesound Copyright 2026, Nextscreen LLC, all rights reserved

Focal Mu-so Hekla All-in-one Dolby Atmos System Review

In this video, Aaron Jenkins reviews the Focal Mu-so Hekla, an all-in-one sound system that promises an immersive audio experience. At $3,600, it boasts 15 speakers, 660 watts of amplification, and support for high-res audio formats. With advanced connectivity options and five listening modes, including Dolby Atmos, Aaron explores its design, performance, and how it fits into everyday life.This video is sponsored by Fidelity Imports00:00 Focal Mu-so Hekla01:20 Overview03:15 Design & Build Quality06:45 Connectivity Options09:30 Sound Performance12:00 Listening Modes14:30 SummaryWhat Is The Absolute Sound? The Absolute Sound magazine has been a leading publication in high-end audio since 1972. Since the early 2000s, The Absolute Sound has expanded to include web, newsletter, digital magazine, social media, YouTube, and Substack platforms. The Absolute Sound platforms have a global audience of over 500,000 audiophiles.Intro/Outro Music: Backed Vibes Clean - Rollin at 5 by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/#hifi #audiophile #theabsolutesound Copyright 2026, Nextscreen LLC, all rights reserved

Aurender ACS100 Music Server Streamer CD Ripper Review

Instead of forcing you to piece together a complex computer-based setup or manage a noisy network-attached storage drive, Aurender positions this unit as a quiet, central anchor for your digital ecosystem. But at four thousand dollars, does it offer the practical everyday convenience and fidelity that a high-quality audio system demands? Let’s find out. This video is sponsored by: https://silentangel.com/00:00 Aurender ACS10002:00 Overview03:20 Physical Connectivity07:56 First Impressions09:11 Reference Equipment09:43 Sound Quality13:00 SummaryWhat Is The Absolute Sound? The Absolute Sound magazine has been a leading publication in high-end audio since 1972. Since the early 2000s, The Absolute Sound has expanded to include web, newsletter, digital magazine, social media, YouTube, and Substack platforms. The Absolute Sound platforms have a global audience of over 500,000 audiophiles.Intro/Outro Music: Backed Vibes Clean - Rollin at 5 by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/#hifi #audiophile #theabsolutesound Copyright 2026, Nextscreen LLC, all rights reserved

HiFi Rose RS451 Streamer Review

What would you buy if you wanted one box that does everything and actually looks really dang good doing it is a common question these days, right?The HiFi Rose RS451 is $3,295, and it's trying to solve that problem, not by cutting corners, by building a streamer, a DAC, and a headphone amp into one aluminum box with a screen that makes you want to really look at this thing. The question is whether it earns that price or if it just looks the part.This video is sponsored by: https://wireworldcable.com/?srsltid=AfmBOoowpiXj2LBgvcTuRYqBzA1LerFapMSwvxzOn25yhhthD5RcKODY00:00 Rose RS45101:17 Specs & Design04:50 DAC07:28 Sound Quality09:11 One Box vs "Stack"11:09 Is it for you?12:19 SummaryWhat Is The Absolute Sound? The Absolute Sound magazine has been a leading publication in high-end audio since 1972. Since the early 2000s, The Absolute Sound has expanded to include web, newsletter, digital magazine, social media, YouTube, and Substack platforms. The Absolute Sound platforms have a global audience of over 500,000 audiophiles.Intro/Outro Music: Backed Vibes Clean - Rollin at 5 by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/#hifi #audiophile #theabsolutesound Copyright 2026, Nextscreen LLC, all rights reserved

ATC EL50 Anniversary speaker system review: State of the Art Series

As you may know, there are technical reasons that active speakers can be advantaged, and as a result, I’ve covered a few of these speakers in the last year or so. ATC is also noteworthy as a major pro audio speaker-maker. I have had good experiences with some pro speakers, and active setups are common in that world, so it seemed interesting to try an active speaker from a pro company. The EL50 thankfully skips the industrial cosmetics typical in the pro world, since it has a consumer-only aesthetic. Let’s take a look at the results.This video is sponsored by: https://silent-angel-audio.com/?srsltid=AfmBOopnyOIgN8kBfCZ3raKqdX4cLI6GwOg6wQy1VkoF8Mc5siNLiEq000:00 ATC EL50 01:34 Description05:42 Sound Quality12:49 Comparisons16:20 SummaryWhat Is The Absolute Sound? The Absolute Sound magazine has been a leading publication in high-end audio since 1972. Since the early 2000s, The Absolute Sound has expanded to include web, newsletter, digital magazine, social media, YouTube, and Substack platforms. The Absolute Sound platforms have a global audience of over 500,000 audiophiles.Intro/Outro Music: Backed Vibes Clean - Rollin at 5 by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/#hifi #audiophile #theabsolutesound Copyright 2026, Nextscreen LLC, all rights reserved

Technics EAH-AZ100 True Wireless Earbud Review

Can true wireless earbuds satisfy the critical ear of a high-end audio enthusiast? In this video, John Quain, a reviewer for The Absolute Sound, puts the Technics EAH-AZ100 earbuds to the test to see if they live up to their "Reference Class" branding.Priced at $299.99 USD, the EAH-AZ100s integrate advanced driver technology typically absent in consumer-grade wireless audio. John breaks down how these earbuds perform across various genres and technical categories.What Is The Absolute Sound? The Absolute Sound magazine has been a leading publication in high-end audio since 1972. Since the early 2000s, The Absolute Sound has expanded to include web, newsletter, digital magazine, social media, YouTube, and Substack platforms. The Absolute Sound platforms have a global audience of over 500,000 audiophiles.Intro/Outro Music: Backed Vibes Clean - Rollin at 5 by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/#hifi #audiophile #theabsolutesound Copyright 2026, Nextscreen LLC, all rights reserved

Advance Paris A10 Apex Review

The Advance Paris A10 APEX integrated amplifier represents an intriguing proposition in the contemporary Hi-Fi landscape. Retailing at $3,499 US, it positions itself as a feature-rich, high-value hub designed to capture the emotional core of analog playback while anchoring a modern digital system. Does it succeed? Find out! This video is sponsored by: https://gttaudio.com/00:00 Advance Paris A10 Apex02:05 Overview04:24 The DAC06:11 Phonostage06:42 Input/Outputs07:24 Reference Equipment08:13 Sound Quality13:08 SummaryWhat Is The Absolute Sound? The Absolute Sound magazine has been a leading publication in high-end audio since 1972. Since the early 2000s, The Absolute Sound has expanded to include web, newsletter, digital magazine, social media, YouTube, and Substack platforms. The Absolute Sound platforms have a global audience of over 500,000 audiophiles.Intro/Outro Music: Backed Vibes Clean - Rollin at 5 by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/#hifi #audiophile #theabsolutesound Copyright 2026, Nextscreen LLC, all rights reserved

Goldmund & Marten System Preview

Alan Taffel provides a sneak peek of what's to come from his full review of the 1400 Wpc Goldmund Telos 8800 Monoblock Amplifiers. You'll have to check out the complete review in an upcoming issue of The Absolute Sound magazine.What Is The Absolute Sound? The Absolute Sound magazine has been a leading publication in high-end audio since 1972. Since the early 2000s, The Absolute Sound has expanded to include web, newsletter, digital magazine, social media, YouTube, and Substack platforms. The Absolute Sound platforms have a global audience of over 500,000 audiophiles.Intro/Outro Music: Backed Vibes Clean - Rollin at 5 by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/#hifi #audiophile #theabsolutesound Copyright 2026, Nextscreen LLC, all rights reserved

Silent Angel Extreme Trio Stack Review

We've all heard of the word trifecta. So I was curious. What's the definition? There's a couple of them. One of them is any situation where three notable achievable are or outcomes occur together, especially if they're all positive. In short, it's a "triple win or powerful group of three". Does the Silent Angel Extreme Trio Stack live up to the name? Let's find out! This video is sponsored by: https://fidelityimports.com/products/perlisten-audio-d8is-in-wall-on-wall-subwoofer-with-amplifier00:00 Silent Angel Extreme Trio Stack01:43 Overview03:02 Specs & Design13:35 Sound Quality14:47 Is it for you?15:56 Equipment16:26 ConclusionAdrian's Reference Equipment: -VIP Avenger Dual Arm Turn-Table – Ortofon Cadenza Moving Coil Cartridge Stereo -Mono Cadenza moving coil cartridge-Pass Labs X 22 Pre -Amp-Pass Lab 260.8 Mono Blocks-Shunyata Delta X Power Distrbutors-Mola Mola Lupe Phono Stage-YG-Acoustics Ascent Speakers-Bricasti M-21 Dac-Kimber Kable Carbon Speaker Cables-Kimber Kable XLR, RCA-Shunyata Power Cords Alpha X-Silent- Angle Extreme Trio Stack-Silent – Angle Z1-Plus Streamer-Two PS Audio Foundry 12inch Sub-woofers-Audio Quest VODKA Ethernet Cable-Dtari – Reel to ReelWhat Is The Absolute Sound? The Absolute Sound magazine has been a leading publication in high-end audio since 1972. Since the early 2000s, The Absolute Sound has expanded to include web, newsletter, digital magazine, social media, YouTube, and Substack platforms. The Absolute Sound platforms have a global audience of over 500,000 audiophiles.Intro/Outro Music: Backed Vibes Clean - Rollin at 5 by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/#hifi #audiophile #theabsolutesound Copyright 2026, Nextscreen LLC, all rights reserved